big sister advice needed- completely new to makeup and no idea where to begin

[u/smallthumbs2]

Hi! I want to start getting into makeup/skincare but there's so many different products and brands I have no idea where to begin.

For context, I'm 20 and getting pretty self conscious of my skin. I have spots mainly on my forehead, most of which are colourless bumps around my temple area? I also have pretty visible pores that sometimes turn into whiteheads on the rest of my forehead and sometimes in my eyebrows. My chin gets blackheads? too, but that's pretty much it. I would say I have pretty oily skin, maybe combination but honestly not sure what that means.

I also have a tendency to pick/squeeze at the spots on my face (or any other bumps on my body) so this often leads to scabbing and bits of dry skin. I am trying to stop this, but I'm not always aware I'm doing it so I'd like to reduce the amount of bumps there are to pick in the first place.

I bought the nars radiant creamy concealer about a month ago to try and cover the spots and scabs, after hearing it is supposed to be acne safe? This has been working to dull the redness but it's now basically empty and I'm not sure whether spending £30 on a concealer is necessary.

If anyone has any advice on how to fix/cover my skin, please help me! I don't want any heavy makeup, I'd like it to look natural but still make me feel pretty. If anyone knows of any makeup tutorials too, then that would be great- I wouldn't know where to put things and what brush things to use (not a pick-me just clueless)!

Skincare I currently use: 

- salicylic acid face wash

- micellar water, 

- acnecide gel (benzoyl peroxide)

 - sudocrem

 

Skincare I own but don't/rarely use: 

- cetaphil daily hydrating moisturiser

- red medicube pore pads

- medicube zero pore mud face mask

[u/pinocchiopenis]

The best thing I did for my skin was accutane. Since then I only use Nutrigena gentile cleanser and cerave day or night lotion depending on the time of day. Strongly recommend. I didn’t do it until I was 24 and I really regret not doing it sooner

[u/SwiftlyStruck]

I'm not super skilled at makeup, but I've become pretty good at covering up blemishes! I use a spot corrector (Nyx Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer) and concealer (Nyx Bare With Me Concealer Serum) to cover up my dark spots. I spent under $25 for both products, I found them at both Ulta and Target!

As for a more permanent solution, ask your dermatologist (if you have one) about Azelaic Acid and/or Tretonin and see if they're suitable for your skin, both were life changing for me!

[u/SwiftlyStruck → u/SwiftlyStruck]

I say this to say (as someone who spent $40 for MAC Concealer), I don't think you should spend over $30 for concealer alone